Ecuador President Alfredo Palacio declared a state of emergency in four provinces in hopes of stopping Indian protests that have crippled parts of the country.

The emergency declaration gives police greater powers to shut down the protests and arrest protesters. The government fears a planned "takeover" that Indian leaders have threatened if Palacio agrees to a free-trade deal with the U.S.

Talks are continuing today in Quito, the nation's capitol.

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Ecuador Declares Emergency Over Protests (AP 3/21)
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